MPs call to halt depictions of cropped-ear dogs
An MP has called on film, television and media outlets to stop depicting dogs with cropped ears, following a dramatic rise in the number of reported cases in recent years.
Veterinary surgeon Dr Neil Hudson, who is also the Conservative MP for Epping, Essex, has written an open letter to those in the industry which has been signed by 21 of his Conservative colleagues in Westminster.
Dr Hudson described ear cropping - made illegal in the UK in 2006 but still permitted in other countries - as "a horrific, cruel and clinically unnecessary practice".
The RSPCA said reports of "cruel and unnecessary ear cropping on dogs" had increased by 2,000% in a decade.
Dr Hudson, who also serves as shadow parliamentary under secretary for Defra, continued: "This painful procedure, performed solely for 'aesthetic' purposes, involves the removal or alteration of a dog's ears, often without proper veterinary care or pain relief."
He said this, coupled with the lack of import regulations on equipment to crop a dog's ears, may be causing the influx of mutilated dogs.
The RSPCA said ear cropping "doesn't benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare".
"We urge people to not buy into the trend - the only way to stop this is by not fuelling the demand for a cropped-eared dog," said David Bowles, the charity's head of public affairs.
A bill that addresses the problem of low-welfare animal imports dogs, cats and ferrets into the United Kingdom is currently being progressed through parliament.
Dr Hudson continued: "The inclusion of cropped ears in media can inadvertently normalise this cruelty, misleading audiences into viewing mutilation as acceptable."
He said popular Hollywood films such as Disney Pixar's Up, from 2009, and Warner Bros' DC League of Super-Pets in 2022, both featured dogs with clipped ears.
He pointed to a more recent example in the US, with the 2025 Best in Show winner at Westminster Kennel Club also having cropped ears.
The letter referenced the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, which prohibits the use of animals subjected to cruelty during production.
The Westminster Kennel Club, Warner Brothers, Disney Pixar, and DC Entertainment have all been approached for comment by the BBC.
Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
More than 1,000 dogs reported with ear cropping
Puppies mutilated to follow social media trend
Man jailed after cruelly cropping puppies' ears
RSPCA - Dog Cropping
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Miles Hudson found guilty on 2 counts of reckless driving in Seattle
The Brief A jury found Miles Hudson, notoriously known as the "Belltown Hellcat," guilty of reckless driving and reckless driving racing in Seattle between December 1, 2023, and February 24, 2024. On the stand, Hudson claimed the viral street racing video was a staged and edited Need for Speed–style skit for his Instagram audience, asserting the car never actually reached 107 mph as shown in the Instagram video he posted. Despite Hudson's claim of video editing and performance art, jurors were swayed by police testimony and video evidence allegedly showing real-life dangerous driving through Seattle's public streets. SEATTLE - The Seattle Municipal Court jury has reached a verdict in the highly publicized case of Miles Hudson, finding the 22-year-old social media personality, guilty on both counts of reckless driving and reckless driving racing. The incidents in question took place between December 1, 2023, and February 24, 2024, on the streets of downtown Seattle and the Belltown neighborhood. Hudson, known to his hundreds of thousands of online followers as the "Belltown Hellcat," was charged after multiple videos surfaced showing his uniquely painted black and beige Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat — alleged to be driven by Hudson — speeding, weaving through traffic, and appearing to engage in street racing. Prosecutors argued that the conduct posed a serious public safety threat and was glamorized online for social media content. What we know The city presented three witnesses — two Seattle Police Department officers and a detective — who testified about the danger and illegality of the high-speed maneuvers depicted in Hudson's online videos. Footage showed cars revving engines, performing maneuvers in downtown intersections and reaching speeds upwards of 100 mph. One critical piece of evidence was a video clip allegedly showing a speedometer reading of 107 mph. The prosecution argued this was proof of street racing and reckless endangerment in a busy urban area. Hudson took the stand in his own defense Tuesday, denying that he ever raced or reached those speeds. Instead, he characterized the videos as "skits," designed as content for his Instagram page, SRT Miles. "It's like a movie. You saw the final result of me and the homies," Hudson testified. "We staged some Need for Speed stuff … it's entertainment." Miles Hudson Hudson claimed that what appeared to be speeding was achieved through video editing, using tools like Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve. He explained that a "dynamic mask" was used to overlay the speedometer, fabricating the 107 mph readout. He also said the sound effects were added in post-production. The defense emphasized that many of the scenes were scripted and rehearsed, and that props like Nerf guns and ski masks were used to enhance the illusion of intensity. However, the jury was not persuaded. What they're saying After a brief deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict on both counts. Judge Melanie Tratnik, who presided over the trial following a last-minute reassignment from Judge Andrew Simons, set a sentencing date of July 7. Although Hudson's attorney asked the court to lift his home monitoring requirement, the judge declined to change the terms of his release. Hudson will remain on electronic home monitoring, and restrictions on his social media use will also stay in effect until his sentencing on July 7. What we don't know It is unknown if Hudson's attorney, Sheley Anderson, will appeal the verdict. City Prosecutor, Christopher Karr, led the case for the city of Seattle. Hudson's sentencing is expected on Monday, July 7. He could face fines, license suspension, mandatory driving courses or even jail time, depending on the judge's decision. This case has sparked broader conversations about Seattle's new reckless driving law and social media's influence on risky behavior, especially among young car enthusiasts. The Source Information in this story came from the Seattle Municipal Court and FOX 13 Seattle original reporting. Bodies of 3 missing Wenatchee, WA girls found, father wanted for murder 'I am in a lot of pain': Lakewood, WA mass shooting survivors being released from hospitals Alaska Airlines announces nonstop flight from Seattle to Rome WATCH: TikTok video of woman digging for geoduck in WA goes viral Carnation fed up with traffic from Remlinger Farms concerts To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
CBS News
15 hours ago
- CBS News
Jane Birkin's Hermes bag is going to auction at Sotheby's
The original Hermès Birkin bag, once worn by the late actor and singer Jane Birkin, is heading to auction at Sotheby's this summer. The leather handbag inspired what would be become one of the world's most desired, hard to acquire and priciest fashion accessories. While the auction house resells a range of secondhand Birkin bags, ranging in price from $5,000 to $220,000, there's only one original. "No handbag in the world carries as much cultural significance as the Hermès Birkin. But before it became the ultimate symbol of luxury, the Birkin was born out of necessity — crafted specifically for Jane Birkin herself," Sotheby's said in a statement Thursday announcing the auction. Jane Birkin is pictured with her namesake bag, which is set to go up for auction at Sotheby's this summer. Mike Daines / Shutterstock The original Hermès Birkin bag, which differs slightly form the model sold today, is on item in Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction, which takes place in Paris from June 26 to July 10. In the meantime, the original bag, which belongs to a private collector, will be on display in at the auction house's New York headquarters from June 6 to June 12. Chance encounter Birkin, who died in 2023 at age 76, was known for her artistry and style. In addition to her songs, including recordings with celebrated singer Serge Gainsbourg, she appeared in classic films including Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 "Blow-Up." She was also admired for her political activism, capaigning for Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and the fight against AIDS, among other causes. "Jane Birkin was a French icon because she was the incarnation of freedom, sang the most beautiful words of our language," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on social media when she died. An errant remark from Birkin to Jean-Louis Dumas, then the head of Hermès, on an Air France flight in 1984 spawned the creation of the Birkin bag, according to Sotheby's. At the time, Birkin complained she couldn't find a bag big enough to accommodate her belongings for daily use. Dumas quickly sketched a bag that he would go on to make, and later name, for her. The bag is now made in a variety of colorways, leather types and sizes based on the prototype Dumas made for the singer. But "the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind — a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible," Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's global head of handbags and fashion, said in a statement. Costly, not expensive? Sotheby's has not indicated how much the bag could fetch. A spokesperson for the auction house told CBS MoneyWatch it will provide an estimate to interested parties upon request, noting the bag's exceptional provenance. By comparison, Sotheby's sold Princess Diana's historic black sheep sweater in 2023 for $1.1 million, 14 times its estimate of $80,000. In December, Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas, told "60 Minutes" that the fashion house's leather goods, including the Birkin bag, are as costly as they are because the company refuses to compromise on quality or craftsmanship. He also disputed the notion that Hermès goods are "expensive," while conceding hey are "costly" to make. "The cost is the actual price of making an object properly with the required level of attention, so that you have an object of quality," Dumas told 60 Minutes in the interview. "Expensive is a product which is not delivering what it's supposed to deliver, but you've paid quite a large amount of money for it, then it betrays you. That's expensive." Customers have accused Hermès of deliberately limiting production of Birkin bags, a notion Dumas dismissed as a "diabolical marketing idea" that the company does not employ. Rather, he insisted, the company can't keep up with the enduring demand for the Birkin bag, while only a few craftspeople are trained to make the item.. "Whatever we have, we put on the shelf and it goes," he said.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Thousands attend first day of world-famous Appleby Horse Fair
THE world-famous Appleby Horse Fair kicked off today (Thursday, June 5) with thousands of people making their way to the small town for the weekend. The event, which is unorganised and described as a gathering, is one of Cumbria Police's busiest jobs of the year. The annual fair features horse riding and trading, traditional music, dance performances and shopping stalls. The town centre was bristling with police keeping an eye on the crowds and offering help to those who needed it with an estimated 80 officers in uniform as well as plain clothed officers on hand. More are expected to arrive tomorrow for the busiest days of the event, Friday and Saturday. They joined the RSPCA who were in attendance to look out for the animals. Despite the overall concerns, the first day was a hub of excitement with people who had travelled far and wide to be there. Martina Wright at Appleby 2025. (Image: Newsquest) Martina Wright and her family have been in Appleby since Saturday, travelling from Newcastle. She was keen to express that the fair 'is not all bad' which she also tries to promote through her TikTok page which has gained over 160,000 followers. She said: 'I've been coming here since I was two years old. My favourite thing about it is being involved with the horses and seeing everyone enjoying their own horses, bringing them and showing them off. 'It's not all bad. I think everyone who says Appleby is cruel and should be banned should come and see for themselves. There are people who breed horses for a living and they're so well cared for. Everyone's welcoming, you can come, and take photos and videos of the horses, people don't mind –they encourage it. 'Everyone speaks to each other, it's a nice place." Fred Welsh with his sticks. (Image: Newsquest) Fred Welsh, 71, had travelled across from Durham yesterday and has been coming to Appleby Horse Fair since he was 10 years old. He said: 'I make sticks through the dark winter months in my man shed and sell them here. I make about 100 in preparation and usually sell 80 over the weekend.' Fred sets up shop in the same place each year - in front of the river where he can watch the horses. He added: 'My favourite thing is watching people wash their horses in the river and cracking on with travellers from all over the country. Some come from as far as Ireland and others from Europe, Germany, Scotland – all over. 'I tend to see the same people every year. Some people I won't recognise but they walk past, and I see they have one of my sticks." Kimberly amongst others who braved the cold water. (Image: Newsquest) Kimberly McLoud, from Burnley, was one of the first people to brave the 'freezing' River Eden on her horse, Pegasus, alongside her mum. She has been coming to the fair since she was born. 'I'm 18 years old and I've been coming since birth," she said. "The water was freezing but the horses loved it." Jack and John with one of their horses. (Image: Newsquest) John Pughe and Jack Jones, like many others, had both brought a horse each to the fair, all the way from North Wales. John said: 'It took about four hours for us to travel. I've been coming for 25 years and Jack's been coming for 7 – he's a newcomer." The pair arrived yesterday and are planning to stay until Monday. John said he had seen a lot of change over the last two decades. He added: 'There's a lot less horses now, it's more of a gathering than a buying and selling, but we're not here for that. Our favourite thing is the atmosphere.' Appleby Horse Fair is set to continue until Sunday, June 8, with busiest crowds expected on Friday and Saturday.
